Joie De Vie

She died today

she passed away

our friend and sweet companion – Joie de Vie

her warm purring slowed – then stopped

all the love and generous affection dropped out –

flowed out of her eyes in seconds

only a single breath in May took her.

A moment of struggle

and her gentle life was gone

escaped somewhere

into the ether of

we don’t know exactly where.

Perhaps the life stream

we sometimes speak about

fantasize and think about

the somewhere souls may go –

the spirit place

we believe exists.

As otherwise why persist

in our day to day silly pursuits

for no good reason

and to no noble end.

She passed today – the sixth of May

with soft reassuring words spoken

about the good life she led

me rubbing her head – my love, tears

in her eyes, speaking in whispers – then listening

to only the faintest sounds

a cat might utter in the pained release

of last farewells.

And there she lay in my dear wife’s arms

as her heart gives way to age and some disease

leaving only the memories of thirteen years

to appease our ache of loss.

Covered now, by earth and stone

shrouded in a monogrammed towel,

a cherished great grandmother’s gift –

she lay quiet, resting -

positioned to watch the birds bathe

and sing throughout the days,

giving our sorrow filled hearts a lift

as she is not alone.

Joy flew this day

with wings

as if she became

the very bird she spied upon

and so admired – the bright cardinal, the proud robin,

one of the many pigeons,

a small sparrow,

or is the tiny hummingbird our Joy of Life

Our black and white feline observer

Who lay for hours, head cocked

large yellow, almond eyes fixed and watching solely

our feathered friends feeding

only few feet overhead.

Then, all at once

she would stand

losing interest

and walk easily back

to our rear door or window

where she would wait patiently

whiskers to screen

looking for one of us

in a moment

to gain attention

to find her way back

inside.

She passed away today

Joy of life –Joie de Vie.

J.E. Dorsey – 05.06.11 – 1:55 pm – for Fur ball, Joie-ber, Joie-be, Love Bug, Number One Kitty and L.D. who loved her dearly for her morning love and triple spoons.